How to Get Bulbs to Flower

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How to Get Bulbs to Flower

Overview

Bulbs are almost always a success in the garden the first year after planting. The bulb holds the embryonic plant and flower bud within itself. As long as it's watered and receives some sunlight, it will bloom. The challenge is to get bulbs to flower year after year in the garden.

Bulbs in Beds

Step 1

Choose a location that meets the bulbs' requirements. Some bulbs, such as gladiolus and amaryllis, require a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight. Others like cyclamen and dog's tooth violet prefer the shade. Asiatic and Oriental lilies prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. Spring bulbs like tulips, crocus and freesia will do well planted underneath deciduous trees, if the trees don't leaf out until after the bulbs have died back.

Step 2

Dig the soil to a depth 12 inches. Add a 4-inch layer of compost and organic matter. Spread a slow release fertilizer over the area per package directions. Dig again and mix all of the ingredients thoroughly.

Step 4

Water until the soil is drenched. Supplement rainfall with watering if the bulbs don't receive an inch a rain per week.

Step 5

Feed the bulbs after they've flowered but before the leaves have died back with a water soluble fertilizer.

Step 6

Wait to remove the yellow and brown leaves from the bulbs until after the plant has died back. This is the most important step. The leaves provide energy to the bulb to produce next year's flowers. If you remove the leaves too soon, the bulb won't flower. Wait until the leaves have withered.

Naturalized Bulbs

Step 1

Plant daffodils in a lawn. They will be finished blooming and be ready to be cut back by the time the lawn is ready to mow. Take care of the daffodils and they'll multiply year after year.

Step 2

Throw the bulbs out in a random pattern onto the lawn. Covering a smaller area more closely works better than spreading the bulbs out over a large area. Plant them where they land.

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About this Author

Katie Rosehill holds an MBA from Arizona State University. She began her writing career soon after college and has written website content and e-books. Her articles have appeared on GardenGuides.com, eHow, and GolfLinks. Favorite topics include personal finance - that MBA does come in handy sometimes - weddings and gardening.